RAF Coltishall
60th Anniversary photocall, 30 June: Report by Dave
Eade, pictures by Gary Parsons & Mike KerrFamilies'
days at Royal Air Force stations today are very private affairs, with
only a selected few invited. It is, therefore, all the more surprising
when the public is given access to the jewels gathered for such events.
But, as with the 25th
Birthday celebrations for the Jaguar in 1998, Coltishall does
it different. For the second time, WO Mick Jennings and his team proved
that "if you invite them - they will come". For little cost
to the RAF, around £8,000 was raised in tickets sold for the Public
Photoday held on 30 June - the day before the Families Day at the
station. Some idea of the popularity of the event can be gained by
the fact that the allocated 800 tickets were sold out in a matter
of a few days from the announcement, and that Internet enquiries for
'spare' tickets were to be found almost daily thereafter.

Home today of three squadrons of Jaguar attack/recce aircraft and soon to be THE home of
the Jaguar with the arrival of 16(R) Squadron/226 OCU from Lossiemouth, the station is one
of only two that saw action in the Battle of Britain and survive as flying stations today,
Northolt being the other. The fact that the superb Anniversary brochure takes 12 of its 35
glorious pages to document the station history shows the reader what a big part the
location played then and onward to today. It is not the intention to précis that
excellent history here but to give the reader a flavour of the Photoday itself. Suffice
it to say that it is with some irony that July sees the arrival of 16(R) Squadron as 226
OCU was the identity of the Lightning OCU formed at Coltishall that also played such a
large part in the Coltishall, and Lightning, history.

Leaked information beforehand gave many hints about the aircraft visiting for the Jubilee
Celebration, many of which led to rumours that belonged more in the fairy stories of Enid
Blyton than anywhere. One aim that did reach fruition was the attendance of aircraft from
the Polish Air Force. It is well known among WW2 aficionados that, during 1944, 316
(Polish) Squadron operated their Mustangs out of Coltishall to be followed by 278 and 308
Polish Squadrons. It was fitting, therefore, that returning to take their rightful place
on the East apron were two Polish SU-22s (one a twin-seat) and an An-26. Unfortunately
neither were allowed to fly, vicious rumour having it on the day that this was primarily
due to the lack of flying practise within the Polish Air Force of today. The original plan
to bring six airframes was gradually reduced until, with the lack of diversion and
refuelling facilities, the whole enterprise appeared to be doomed. All the more welcome,
therefore, were SU-22s s/n 8613 and two-seat 605 looking aggressive in their camouflage against the gloomy skies
that are Summer 2000 in the UK. Support was provided by An-26 1602
and the carefully positioned low level tapes ensured that lenses were being filled to
satisfaction.

Visitors flying in for the celebrations included
three Hawk trainers, one each from soon-to-be-defunct 74 Squadron (XX332),
208 Squadron (XX349) and 100 Squadron (XX194/CO). 56(R) Squadron were at last allowed to
air their new special colour scheme (ZE339/AV) intended as the
display bird, but failing initially to meet their Airship's approval. Other RAF
participants were Harrier GR7 (XD436/48), making the short trip from 3 Squadron Hangar at
Cottesmore and a Tornado GR4A (ZA371/C), from 2 Squadron, which took up its position on
the pan after a very impressive low-level photo-recce pass over the assembled aircraft and
spectators - no airshow restrictions here!

Visitors from further afield, were the Danes - in the form of F16B
ET-197, two F4Fs of JG-72 (37+09 and 37+36)
- the former sporting in RAF zap on the port side (!) and a contingent of two AMX (MM7165/51-31 and MM7185/51-35), plus
two F104S Starfighters (MM6733/9-33 and MM6764/9-39) from the
Italian Air Force. The visitors pan was completed with the arrival of F15E
91-0306 from the 494th FS at Lakenheath - immediately becoming the centre of attraction
for the Polish contingent - understandably perhaps when one considers the quantum leap in
technology between the SU-22 and the F15E. Unusually, it participated
in the following day's display, a rarity from a Lakenheath Eagle.

For your scribe, however, the most impressive part of this photo-day was the fact the
station remained active throughout, launching frequent training
missions from all three Jaguar units. The aforementioned tapes,
positioned a few inches from ground level, were the only "barrier" between the
observer and today's RAF at work, free access being available from the taxiway through to
both pans. Ample opportunity was provided to view the hangars, and aircraft from the units
in various states of weapons fit - or stripped even - in deep
maintenance.

This
was an excellent opportunity for "Colt" to do some worthwhile public relations
and Air-Scene UK salutes those officers and men who provided such a special day for the
spotters. It can only be hoped that their counterparts on other bases - on other occasions
- see the benefit of such a day and repeat the process. It is also to be hoped that the
"whingers" from whom this hobby hears far too much, and who have possibly killed
the Brize Photoday for good, keep their opinions to
themselves - and that the people at Coltishall can sit back and look at a job well done!
Thanks guys!